For Autistics Speaking Day 2013, I'm going to answer the above question from Feminist Aspie (from a post that really echoes my own experiences, by the way).
There are one or two tangible things that would go some way towards improving the accessibility of social situations, but the most important thing to me would be the changing of attitudes. If you're not familiar with autistics, take note: if I give you scripted or apparently superficial answers, it doesn't mean I am ignoring you. Usually, if you start the same conversation with me in a less stressful and therefore quieter environment, I will be able to hold up my side of the conversation much more successfully.
Imagine these two parallel versions of a single conversation: one in which there is so much noise that I only manage to contribute very simple sentences without much content and one in which it's quiet enough for me to say much more to push the conversation forward. Now imagine if you were only capable of having the second conversation in a quiet, calm space. That's how it is for me all of the time. Yes, there are some people who will understand that, but, generally speaking, I can't take it as given. That's why it's so helpful when my being unable to pick out a voice from a background of unfiltered sound is accepted as not a big deal and not something that reflects on my personality.
No comments:
Post a Comment